Geometries for Hairsprings for Mechanical Watches Enabled By Nanofabrication

Abstract

In this patent we teach a method for manufacturing hairsprings for mechanical watches using nanofabrication and several resultant geometries. This method produces hairsprings, and other watch components, that are more durable, more precise, more isochronous, possess a different appearance, and are easier to install into a watch. For example, we discuss novel geometries of hairspring coils with non-rectangular cross-sections, hairsprings with attached or integrated collets, detachable collets, notched collets, tabs, and small identifying features. Furthermore, we teach how the cross-section of a hairspring may be modified in order to alter the spring's geometric moment thereby improving isochronism.

1 . A mechanical watch comprised of a hairspring, wherein the hairspring has a plurality of coils, an inner terminus, and an outer terminus, wherein there is a component extending from the outer terminus such that a user can manipulate and adjust the hairspring during installation without touching the coils. 
     
     
         2 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a component on the inner terminus such that a user can manipulate and adjust the hairspring without touching the coils. 
     
     
         3 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein the hairspring is made of silicon or a crystalline compound such as: gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped silicon, gallium nitride, extrinsically doped gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, extrinsically doped gallium phosphide, and quartz. 
     
     
         4 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner terminus is a detachable spring clip. 
     
     
         5 . The hairspring according to  claim 4 , wherein the inner terminus is an elastically deformable notched collet that allows the hairspring to be friction fit to a balance staff. 
     
     
         6 . The hairspring according to  claim 5 , wherein the fit of the notched collet to the balance staff is further strengthened with an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The hairspring according to  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the inner surface of the collet that connects to the balance staff is jagged. 
     
     
         8 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , the coils have a non-rectangular cross-section such as: trapezoidal, rhomboidal, hemispherical, ellipsoidal, and ovular. 
     
     
         9 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the edges of the coils are chamfered. 
     
     
         10 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is detachable. 
     
     
         11 . The hairspring according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer terminus is connected to a wafer through a second component, wherein the hairspring can easily be detached from the wafer once processing is complete, by severing the second component from the wafer. 
     
     
         12 . A mechanical watch comprised of a hairspring, wherein the hairspring has a plurality of circular coils, an inner terminus, an outer terminus, and the hairspring has additional coils which are ellipsoidal shaped or having additional linear sections inserted into one or several of the coils. 
     
     
         13 . The hairspring according to  claim 12 , wherein the cross-section of the coil varies along the hairspring. 
     
     
         14 . The hairspring according to  claim 12 , wherein the elasticity of the coil varies along the hairspring. 
     
     
         15 . The hairspring according to  claim 12 , wherein the shape of at least a portion of the coils is a Fibonacci spiral. 
     
     
         16 . The hairspring according to  claim 12 , wherein the hairspring is made of silicon or a crystalline compound such as: gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped silicon, gallium nitride, extrinsically doped gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, extrinsically doped gallium phosphide, and quartz. 
     
     
         17 . A mechanical watch comprised of a hairspring, with an identifying feature on the hairspring with the feature size smaller than 100 microns. 
     
     
         18 . The mechanical watch according to  claim 17 , with identifying features on other mechanical watch parts. 
     
     
         19 . The hairspring according to  claim 17  with a coating on at least one facet for identification purposes. 
     
     
         20 . The hairspring according to  claim 17 , wherein the hairspring is made of silicon or a crystalline compound such as: gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped gallium arsenide, extrinsically doped silicon, gallium nitride, extrinsically doped gallium nitride, gallium phosphide, extrinsically doped gallium phosphide, and quartz.